POS1340 VALIDATION OF QUALISEX QUESTIONNAIRE TO EVALUATE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN AFFECTED BY FIBROMYALGIA
Authors: C. Gioia, G. Dolcini, M. Favretti, D. Franculli, F. Giardina, C. Iannuccelli, R. Priori, F. Conti, M. Di Franco
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic widespread pain condition, also characterized by fatigue, sleep and mood disorders, with higher prevalence in women. Sexual function is an important feature in people's well-being; its alterations include decreased sex drive, sexual satisfaction, orgasm, and arousal, as well as increased genital pain. Emerging but still too few studies observed a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in FM, especially related to depression. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual dysfunctions in a large cohort of FM women through Qualisex questionnaire, used in other rheumatic diseases but not yet validated for FM. <h3>Methods</h3> We consecutively enrolled women affected by FM (ACR 2016) referring to our out-patient clinic. Demographic and clinical examination as well as evaluation of severity of FM symptoms (R-FIQ, SSS and WPI) were assessed for each patient. Moreover, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and questionnaire for sexual dysfunction-Qualisex were anonymously administered. Qualisex questionnaire is composed by 10 questions on different items of sexual life with higher scores suggestive of greater negative impact of FM on sexual life. <h3>Results</h3> The cohort was composed by 373 FM female patients, median age 49,1. Qualisex questionnaire was validated with Cronbach's alpha test (0,878), median value 5,3. Women with lower grade of education (p=0,002), married (p&lt;0,001) and with lower sexual feeling with partner (p&lt;0,001) showed higher values of Qualisex. Menopause status, drug assumption and comorbidity did not influence patients' sexual quality. High values of HADS-A and HADS-D showed a positive correlation with Qualisex Total (p&lt;0,001 r=0,312; p&lt;0,001 r=0,542 respectively) as well as high values of VAS pain, VAS fatigue and VAS dryness (p&lt;0,001 r=0,438; p&lt;0,001 r=0,375; p&lt;0,001 r=0,70 respectively). Relationship duration also presented a positive correlation (p&lt;0,001 r=0,202). Multivariate analysis observed a significantly influence of relationship duration, VAS pain, fatigue and dryness, HADS-A/D, R-FIQ and all specific items of Qualisex, on Qualisex Total correcting for patients' age (p&lt;0,001). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Qualisex questionnaire represents a good test to evaluate sexual disorders in FM women. Different aspects contribute to sexual dysfunction both from a psychological (anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, decreased sexually attraction) and a physical (pain, fatigue etc..) point of view with an important impact of FM on sexual life and consequently a worsening of FM symptoms. Over a demotivation feeling, inability to live a "normal everyday life", the reduced sexual function contributes to a bad quality of life. Other studies are needed to analyze which interventions, pharmacological and non (physical activity, psychotherapy), could improve the sexual aspect in the global contest of FM and to investigate this important aspect in FM male patients. <h3>References</h3> [1]Bazzichi L, Giacomelli C, Rossi A, Sernissi F, Scarpellini P, Consensi A, Bombardieri S. Fibromyalgia and sexual problems. Reumatismo. 2012 Sep 28;64(4):261-7. [2]Matarín Jiménez TM, Fernández-Sola C, Hernández-Padilla JM, Correa Casado M, Antequera Raynal LH, Granero-Molina J. Perceptions about the sexuality of women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a phenomenological study. J Adv Nurs. 2017 Jul;73(7):1646-1656. [3]Priori R, Giardina F, Gioia C, Iannuccelli C, Villa M, Gattamelata A, Conti F, Di Franco M, Curcio G. Cultural adaptation and preliminary validation of the Qualisex questionnaire for its use in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and fibromyalgia in Italy. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2022 Dec;40(12):2470-2471 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.